How to make the most of Tennessee Vols football games in Knoxville

Tennessee's football season transforms the city of Knoxville on game days.

Streets close. The University of Tennessee campus becomes a sea of orange and white, and "Rocky Top" blares from speakers outside, over the radio and in restaurants and bars. 

More:Find out when Vols play | 2017 Tennessee football schedule: Dates, times, TV and radio info

More:How to get tickets to a Tennessee Vols football game

It's an all-day spectacle regardless of what time kickoff is. With so much going on, how do you make the most of game day in Knoxville?

Here's a guide with details on parking, tailgating, the Vol Navy and some must-see Tennessee football traditions.

Parking

While parking isn't the most thrilling part of a Tennessee football game, it is necessary to find a spot somewhere before you tailgate or attend the game, so here are a few quick facts.

There is no general public parking on the University of Tennessee's campus during game days, according to the school's parking website. A football parking permit is required to park there, and campus parking during games is reserved for athletic and alumni donors and donor permits, the website said.

If you are a UT donor, visit the Tennessee Fund's website at http://www.tennesseefund.org/parking-passes/football/applications/ for more information on purchasing a permit.

Public parking spots can be found in downtown Knoxville garages. Some are free, and some will cost you. For a complete list of parking options and game day road closures, visit http://www.knoxvilletn.gov/residents/traffic_transit/game_day_traffic.

Tailgating fun

If you wish to tailgate on game day, you've got options.

Several spots on UT's campus and the surrounding neighborhoods have areas to tailgate and offer different perks depending on what you want to do.

Tailgate Tennessee will do almost all the work for you. Operated by Knoxville business All Occasions Party Rentals, Tailgate Tennessee offers tailgating space on campus at Circle Park and the McClung Museum during home games. Packages have varying amounts of tables, chairs, TVs and tent sizes, and catering is available for all of them, too. For more information, visit http://tailgatetennessee.com/.

If you want to set up your own tailgating area, seek out areas outside of the UT campus around six hours before kick off to ensure you get a spot. Parking lots for tailgating are scattered throughout the Fort Sanders neighborhood, aka "The Fort," which is the area in between Cumberland Avenue and Grand Avenue not far from UT's campus. 

More:48 hours in Knoxville: Tradition meets trend in East Tennessee

The Vol Navy

It's been 15 years since the Vol Navy Boaters' Association came together and formed the Vol Navy, a community of boaters who dock on the Tennessee River near Neyland Stadium on home football games. 

It remains a beloved tradition that combines Tennessee football with views of the river and the boating community.

The Vol Navy is open to those with or without a boat, and its membership is free, according to the Vol Navy website. 

Once gameday arrives, those wishing to join the Vol Navy on the river can approach the docks and moor their boats. No reservations are required, and space at the Vol Navy docks is on a first-come first-serve basis, the website said.

Larger boats are tied off at the docks first and then smaller boats are tied to them in rows with up to 13 boats.

For more information, visit http://volnavyboaters.com/vol-navy-protocol/.

Two more must-dos

Gamedays in Knoxville aren't complete without taking part in a few longtime traditions both in and outside Neyland Stadium.

The Vol Walk began in 1990 during a Tennessee-Alabama football game, according to utsports.com. Taking place two hours before kickoff, the Vol Walk is part parade and part pep rally.

Game attendees line the sides of Peyton Manning Pass and Philip Fulmer Way as Tennessee football coach Butch Jones and players walk down the streets, greet fans and make their way to Neyland Stadium.

After the Vol Walk, make your way to your seat in Neyland Stadium to experience the Tennessee football pregame ceremony before kickoff. UT's Pride of the Southland Band takes the field, showcasing a power T formation on the field. 

Then the band provides an epic entrance by forming an open T where the UT spirit squad and football team can run through right before the game begins.

5 places to shop for Vol swag in Knoxville

Alumni Hall [6714 Papermill Drive, Knoxville; 865-219-1327] With three Knoxville locations, Alumni Hall may be one of the easiest Vol retailers to get to, and they have a wide selection of orange and white clothing, bags, accessories and more.

Tailgate [23 Market Square, Knoxville; 865-540-9995] If you're exploring downtown Knoxvile, Tailgate, which is owned by American Eagle, is the place to go for Vol swag. Its offerings include clothing, shoes, gifts, books and more.

Josie's Boutique [7508 Clinton Highway, Powell; 865-938-9494] As the name might suggest, this store just has apparel for women and girls, but it doesn't skimp on its selection of orange and white clothing and accessories, which take up a large section near the store's front door.

VolShop [1015 Phillip Fulmer Way, Knoxville; 865-974-3459] Volshop locations are scattered throughout the University of Tennessee, Knoxville's campus and has an array of apparel and brands like Nike, Vera Bradley, Columbia and others.

In With The Old [https://www.nwiththeold.com/] This retailer is strictly online but provides a way for Vol fans to get vintage Tennessee apparel through a bidding system. Just visit the website, select the Tennessee apparel section and place a bid on one of the items.

5 places to watch Tennessee football games in Knoxville

Fieldhouse Social [2525 University Commons Way, Knoxville; 865-525-4481] With a 21-foot TV screen, watching the Vols is pretty easy at Fieldhouse Social. It also has beer and a menu filled with appetizer, sandwich, burger and salad options.

Soccer Taco [9 Market Square, Knoxville; 865-544-4471] Soccer Taco has three locations in Knoxville that each have more than 10 flat screen televisions, which is helpful if you like to watch multiple football games at the same time. The restaurants offer Mexican cuisine.

Double Dogs [10639 Hardin Valley Road, Knoxville; 865-470-4447] A sports bar with its fair share of HD televisions and a menu with more than your typical sports bar favorites with four different kids of mac n' cheese and chicken pot pie.

Skybox Sports Bar and Grill [415 S. Gay St., Knoxville; 865-200-8910] With two projection screens and 18 flat screens, Skybox has TVs in sight all over its location. It also serves wings, nachos and other food and drink selections.

Carolina Ale House [9045 Kingston Pike, Knoxville; 865-690-7800] Carolina Ale House has 50 TVs and an even larger amount of beers. It features sports bar favorites including pizza, burgers, salads and more.

5 tips to help your tailgating experience

1.  Arrive around six to seven hours before kickoff to secure a tailgating spot for the game because they fill up fast.

2. Tailgating and drinking often go hand in hand, so be responsible, stay hydrated and have a designated driver. 

3. Wear appropriate footwear. It sounds simple, but comfy and sturdy shoes can make the difference when you have to walk around the UT campus and set up everything you need for a tailgate.

4. Stock up on food early. People pack stores on Saturdays when there is a football game, and it takes a lot longer to get checked out and on to your tailgate. If possible, hit up the store on Thursday or Friday, which are both far less busy.

5. Be prepared for different weather conditions. East Tennessee weather can be pretty unpredictable so make sure you have your rain gear, sunscreen, jackets, etc. handy when tailgating.